Adams County Colorado

Jacob H. Wykstra, age 21, from Thornton, Colorado.

Service era: Afghanistan
Military history: 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, For Carson, Colorado.

Date of death: Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Death details: Died from injuries sustained as a result of an aircraft accident while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Source: Department of Defense, Military Times

Larry D. Harris, age 24, from Thornton, Colorado.

Service era: Afghanistan
Military history: 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Purple Heart. Enlisted May 2006.

Date of death: Thursday, July 1, 2010
Death details: Silver Star citation: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Corporal Larry D. Harris, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Fire Team Leader, 3d Squad, 81 Millimeter Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, Third Battalion, First Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, FIRST Marine Division (Forward), I MEF (Forward) Afghanistan, on 1 July 2010 in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During a patrol in Garmsir District, Helmand Province, Corporal Harris’ squad was engaged by sporadic enemy fire from the west. As he boldly maneuvered his men to outflank and close with the enemy, about 40 enemy fighters engaged Corporal Harris’ squad with heavy and accurate small arms and medium machine gun fire. Consistently exposing himself to the effective fire, Corporal Harris expertly controlled his team and personally suppressed the enemy with rifle and 40-millimeter grenade fire to facilitate the movement of his team to a covered position. When the squad’s machine gunner was shot in the leg, Corporal Harris immediately moved from his covered position while still under heavy fire, with complete disregard for his own safety, to reach the casualty and carry him to a defilade position. When the decision was made to move the casualty for evacuation, Corporal Harris unhesitatingly picked up the wounded marine and carried him to the medical evacuation site, once again exposing himself to effective enemy fire from multiple directions. As he moved through a vineyard while carrying the wounded Marine, Corporal Harris struck an improvised explosive device, absorbing the majority of the explosion with his body. Although his injuries would prove fatal, Corporal Harris ultimately saved the life of the wounded marine. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and complete dedication to duty, Corporal Harris reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

Source: Department of Defense, Denver Post, Military Times